Football works in the community

BY ANDRES FOCIL

The University of Arkansas football team spent time Thursday afternoon giving time back to the community as several players visited the Boys and Girls Club of Fayetteville and the Habit for Humanity ReStore of Washington County. With Saturday’s Red-White game approaching, the members of the team visited with children, played dodge ball and signed autographs at the Boys and Girls Club. The first year members of the team spent their afternoon helping out at the Habitat ReStore. The store is in the process of moving to a new location and needed help with moving items for its grand opening next week. Habitat ReStores are outlets that accept donated goods for resale. While every ReStore is a little different, most focus on home improvement goods-furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances. These donated goods are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price to help local affiliates fund the construction of Habitat homes within their communities. Several players commented on the day:

Ryan Mallett"It is a great opportunity for us as a team to give back to the community. Most of these kids come out and come to the games. We were little once and used to love things like this. We feel it is a great opportunity to give back. When we heard we were going to get to come everybody had big smile. We had a great time here last year as well."

D. J. Williams"Sometimes we get caught up in practice, football meetings and kind of forget who is out here watching. It starts with these little kids. It’s us setting an example for them. They’re our future and hopefully we can set a good example for them today."

Austin Tate"Community service is important and allows us to give back. It is good to get out and show that we care for the community as much as they care for us coming to watch up play and giving us so much support. It is fun to come out here with the guys. You work hard to perform well and also you have to give back to the community so it is important to work hard doing that as well.